Water softener and purifier.



No. 849500. PATENTED APR. 9, 1907.

H. ROMUNDER. 7 WATER SOPTBNER AND PURIPIBR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 20.1906.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

o. 849.500. PATENTED APR. 9,- 1907. H. ROMUNDER.

WATER SOFTENER AND PURIFIER.

APPLICATION FILED UAR. 20.1906.

isnnnrs-snnm a.

No. 849,500. PATENTED APR. 9, 1907.

H. ROMUNDER.

WATER SOFTBNER AND BURIPIER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAB. 20,1900.

No. 849,500. PATENTED APR. 9, 1907. HWROMUNDER.

WATER SOFTENBR AND PURIFIER.

APIPLIUATIOH' FILED MAE. 20.1906.

4 SHEETBSHE BT 4.

U NITED STATES FATE v FIGE.

WATER soF'TE'NER Ann PURIFIER.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 9, 1907.

Application filed March 20,1906. Serial No. 306,961-

Taall whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HERMANN RoMi'INnEit, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, have invented a Water Softener and Purifier, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to water urifiers andsofteners for water carrying car onates and sulfates of lime and magnesium, which are treated, by the well-known chemical processes, which consists in adding calcium hydrate and. soda to the water to be purified "and separating precipitates so caused.

Thegenera type of purifier referred to is oldand .wellknown; and my invention consists -in certain improvements applicable thereto.

- Onefeature of my invention consists in certain means for causing the more uniform and rapid intermixture of the calcium-hydrate solution with the water to be purified. An-

other feature consists in novel and improved means for applying a fixed proportion of soda solution WlllOh; is automatically regulated by theinfiowing water; and a third feature consists in providing means for causing the thorough intermixture of the raw water, soda, and lime together in a downwardly-flowing current beforethe liquid is introduced into the settling-chamber.

For the clear comprehension of my invention I have illustrated it in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a vertical median section 'through a complete apparatus as adapted to in open position.

the larger sizes. Fig. 2 IS a similar section of a machine adapted for the smaller sizes. Fi s. 3 and 4 are each a vertical section, on an enTarged scale, through the upper part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 to i lustrate more clearly the soda-regulating mechanism, Fig. 3 showing the soda-valve in closed and Fig. 4 Figs. 5 and 6 are similar sections through the form shown in Fig. 2 and illustrating the construction of the sodaregulating mechanism for this apparatus, these figures also showing the soda-valve respectively in closed and open positions. Fi

, 7 is a longitudinal section, on a still further oillarged scale, of the lower part of the discharge-spout used in the same form of purifier, illustrating the valve-operating plate in section; and Fig. 8 is a transverse section throu h the same on the line 8.

In the drawings. every reference character refers always to the same part.

Taking first the form shown In Fig. 1, there is shown a long and narrow cylindrical lime chamber or tank A, by the side of which is a somewhat larger settling chamber or tank B, the whole being surmounted by a raw-water tank (1, below which is a water wheel or metor l), operated by the water in the tank C in its descent into the apparatus to keep the agi-- tating mechanism of theapparatus in motion. The whole is mounted upon a suitable fdundation E, providing exits 21 and 22 for the sludge matter and furnished with a platform F, having a railing 23 extending around the apparatus near the top for greater convenience of access.

The lime-tank A has concentrically mounted therein a hollow shaft 24, which extends from a point above the top of the tank to its extreme lower end, being mounted upon a suitable step-bearing 25, carried by a spider 26, and at its upper end it has also a bearin collar 27 to hold it rotatably in position. Tt is provided at its upper end with a funnel 28, into which raw water is delivered from the tank C through a spout 29, having a valve 30. The valve is ordinarily automatically operated, but as such means form no part of this At its invention it is not herein shown. lower end the shaft 24 has lateral orifices 31, whereby the water delivered through the funnel 28 issues at the bottom of the tank A and gradually works its way to the top. The shaft carries at its lower end a set of agitating devices 32, and it iskept in rotation bythe motor D, whose shaft 33 is connected therewith by means of bevel-gears 34 35, mounted on the shafts 33 and 24, respectively.

Surrounding the shaft 24. from a point above the water-level in the tank A is a tube or pipe, 36, which descends to a point just above tisl agitators 32 and is supported by brackets 37 from the'sides of the tank or otherwise. This tube 36 is entirely closed, except at its ends and at a lateral opening 38, by which the interior thereof is connected with a chamber 39, mounted at the side of the tank and separated from the main portion thereof, the said chamber 39 being rovided with a vertical screen 40, behind w 1ich is placed quicklime 41. The water in the tank A rises through the tube 36 into the chamber 39 and acts upon the quic'klime, (llS- solving it, and the milk-oi-lime solution so produced slowly diffuses itself downward and escapes into the tank A through the lower end of the tube 36. I have provided as an important element of my invention a means for more quickly and thoroughly hicorporating the lime solution with the water, consisting of a conical deflector 42, which throws it outwardly and prevents it from sinking (ii-- cess of lime passes by a spout or pipe 46,

which carries it into a mixing-trough 47, having deflection-plates 48 arranged therein for causing it to be more thoroughly incorporated with. raw water and soda, which are also introduced at'this point;

The raw water flowing from the tank C at proper intervals operates upon the motor I) and falls therefrom into the spout 49, which delivers it in this form of purifier into a smaller tank 50, which has a large overflowopening 51 at one side and near the top and a small perforation 52 in the bottom. Adjacent to this tank is mounted the soda-tank G, which contains a concentrated soda solution and has at the bottom thereof an opening 53, which is normally covered by a flapvalve 54, having a lever 55, this lever being connected by a rod 56 with a float 57, which rises and falls with the level of water in the tank 50. From the opening 53 leads a spout- 58, which delivers the soda solution to a pointnear the center of the trough 47. There is also herein illustrated a means for taking the solution always from the surface of the solution in the tank 1 in order that it maybe delivered and flow through the opening 53 always at the same pressure, the said means comprising a float 59, which supports a flexible pipe 60, connected at its lower end with the opening 53, as shown, and opening at its upper end near the surface of the solution. The lower end of the spout 49 is also shown as provided with a deilecting-plate 6] to prevent the water delivered thereby from splashing upon the float 57.

The tank B is provided with a concentric tube 62, which is supported by legs 63 from the conical bottom 64 of the tank, whereby the lower end of said tube comnmnicates freely with the interior of the tank. Within this tube is mounted a vertical shaft 65. which turns upon a step-bearing 66, supported on a spider 67 from the walls of the tube 62, said shaft being also supported by intermediate bearings 68. This shaft carries a series of agitating plates-or paddles 69, and it is kept in rotation by the motor 1), whose shaft 33 is connected therewith by gears 70 and 71, whereby the liquid descending through the tube 62 is thoroughly intermixed before reaching the settling-chamber. Tile latter may contain precipitating-shelves 85,-

and near its top is mounted another concentric cylindrical wall 72, forming. an annular" iilter-chamber 73, in which is mounted a filway to the outlet-pipe 75. The bottom of the tank B is provided with the usual sludgevalve 76, operated by a lever 7 7, and with a manhole-plate 78, which gives access to the interior for cleaning purposes.

The mode of operation, generally speaking, is as follows: The water descending from the tank C through the s )out 29 enters the limetank through the hollow shaft 24 and is there mixed with the lime solution, as previously described, rising to the top and passing out through the pipe 46 into the mixing-trough 47. Simultaneously the water falling from the tank C upon the motor D operates the latter to keep the shafts 24 and 65 in rotation, whereby the li uid is agitated and the solutions thorough y incorporated. The water flowing from the motor through the spout 49 enters the tank 50 and rises therein until it overflows at the outlet 51, the small hole 52 being insufiicient to carry out the water as rapidly as it enters, and thereby the float 57 is caused to rise and open the valve 54, delivering soda solution at a fixed rate from the tank G into the trough 47 along with the raw water which overflows thereinto and the lime solution from the pipe 46. This solution continues to flow as long as the water enters through the spout 49that is to say, as long as the tank G contains water-but as soon as the water is out off from the tank 0 the flow in the spout 49 ceases and the tank 50 is emptied by the outflow through the hole 52 in the bottom thereof, the float 57 accordingly sinking and closing the valve 54, so as to shut off the supply of soda. As soon as water again enters the tankC the whole cycle recommences.

For smaller sizes of the apparatus I may use-a simpler form of the soda-regulating device, which is illustrated in Fig. 2 and Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive. In this form the tank 50 is omitted, and the spout 49 is provided with a sluice or trap in the form of a plate 79, which completely closes the outlet of the spout and is pivoted upon a pintle'SO, extending across the spout near the top. The plate 79 extends somewhat above the piutle St) to form means for connection of a cord or chain 81, which passes over a pulley 82. mounted on the side of the tank-(l, and is adjustablv connected with the lever 55 of the valve 54 in such manner that the tipping ol' the plate 721 draws upon the connection 81, raises the lever 55, and so opens the valve 54. The weight of the cord and lever 55 may be counterbalanced by a weight 83. which also passes over th pulley S2, and the equilibrium further adjusted by a weight 84, slidable on the 7 ter 74, through which the water passes on its ters Patent, is

1, In a water-softening device, a tank hav-] ing a vertical shaft and means for rotating lever 55'. The normal position of the apparams-that is, when not acted on'by water is as shown in Fi '5. In operation the water accumulates in the spout 49 until its level is high enough to cause a pressure sufficient to open the valve 54 and then turns into the position shown in Fig. 6, discharging the water in the spout 49 and at the same time the proper quantity of soda solution.

As soon as the water in the spout, 49 is. discharged the trap 79 closes again, being drawn downwardly by the excess of wei ht upon the lever 55', and remains in close position until the water has again risen in the spout 49 sufliciently to open it. s i

I do not wish it understood that my invention is limited to the use of all the above-described features and constructions, for some may be omitted and others maybe varied or modified in various ways; as will readily occur to those skilled in the art.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let the same, agitating means carried by sai shaft atthe lower part thereof, a conical deflector mounted on said shaft above saidagitating means, a tube surrounding the upper part of said shaft and terminating just above saiddeflector, and means for introducing a water-softening solution into said tube.

2. In a water-softening device, a lime-tank having a vertical shaft and means for rotating the same, agitating means carried by said shaft at the lower part thereof, ,aconical defiector mounted on said shaft above said agi.

tating means, a tube surrounding the upper part of said shaft and terminating just above said deflector, and a quick lime-chamber connected with said tube and supplied with water therefrom;

3. In a water-softener, means for mixing chemicals with the raw water in a fixed proportion, the same comprising a mixing-recoptacle, a reservoir for a chemical solution having an outlet adapted to deliver said solution into said mixing-receptacle, a valve closing said outlet, and a device connected with said 3 portion comprising'a mixing-receptacle, a

reservoir for a chemical solution having an outlet adaptedv to deliver said solution into said mixing-receptacle, a valve closing said outlet, a conduit delivering water to be softened into said mixing-receptacle, moans between said conduit and said receptacle for storingthe water before flowing into said recept'acle and raising the water-level while flowing, said means permitting the sinking of the water-level immediately on water ceasing to flow through said conduit, and a device operated b said rise of level to open said valve and b t e fall of level to close said valvc.

5.v a water-softener, a mixin device comprising a tank, a float mounted therein, a reservoir for a chemlcal solution, a valve formin the outlet of said reservoir and adapts to admit said solution to the water to be softened, a connection between said valve and float whereb said valve is opened .when said float is raise and means for delivering a supply of water to said tank; said tank being arranged to overflow on the water reachin'ga fixed u per level and to empty itself as soon as t e flow thereinto ceases whereby said valve is caused to close.

- In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of March, 1906.

HER. ROMUNDER. 

